So I’m 14 years old and have never used tampons! I looked at the video on the site and tried it. However, when I insert the plastic (even before I put the tampon in) it starts stinging really bad!! I’ve tried washing my hands, making sure I’m holding the tampon correctly, and a ton of other stuff. I’m going to the pool in 2 days. Help!!!

It sounds like you are doing everything right yet it’s not typical to feel a “sting” when you insert a tampon. The “sting” is most likely from irritation of the hymen which may have a small opening or be too dry for insertion. The hymen opening may be small because you were born with a small opening or because the vagina gets tense when you are nervous about getting the first tampon in. Begin with a “slender” size tampon and wait until you have a menstrual flow before you try to insert it. You can also try placing a small amount of lubricant such as KYJelly on the tampon applicator before inserting it into your vagina. If you continue to have a stinging sensation when trying to insert a tampon, make an appointment with your health care provider who can check if the opening in the hymen is large enough for tampons and give you advice on next steps.

The Center for Young Women’s Health (CYWH) is a collaboration between the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine and the Division of Gynecology at Boston Children’s
Hospital. The Center is an educational entity that exists to provide teen girls and young women with carefully researched health information, health education programs, and conferences.